The Château

Merlot at the base of Maison - Organic Grapes for Rosé
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Claribes Maison
Maison to Chateau
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Marpeau Oct16
Autumn Merlot
Early December Marpeau 2021
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Historic Location

Château de Claribès, established in the 16th Century, has limestone slopes and proximity to the Dordogne making it an ideal site for grape growing and river transport into the port of Bordeaux.

Gallo Romans first introduced vineyards into the region. They recognized that the maritime climate provides excellent moderate conditions for grape growing.

Beneath the Château are caves of archaeological interest. Thought to have been inhabited centuries before the Romans, this was confirmed in an excavation conducted by the University of Bordeaux. Many artefacts, pieces of pottery and other articles were discovered, some of which can be seen in the Bordeaux natural history museum.

The Current Owners

Helen & Nick, produced their first wine vintage at the property in 2005, continuing a tradition of quality and innovation. “Our philosophy,” says Helen, “is simple – We make wines that are a true reflection of the terroir in a way that is sustainable and natural.”

Quality and sustainability are at the core of their investment, replanting and restructuring the vineyards to Côte de Bordeaux standards, conversion to Organic (Biologique) agriculture, upgrading the wineries and implementing production methods for Organic Wine. Organic (Biologique) Certification has been awarded from the 2013 vintage. Château de Claribés wines are vegan from the 2006 vintage.

We are the only Château, winemaker and vineyard in the village of Claribès. All our wines are sold under the single brand Château de Claribès. This brand and no variation on it are your guarantees of authenticity and provenance.


Certified Biologique Vineyards

Certified Biologique Vineyards

Certified Biologique Vineyards

Veraison of the Merlot first week of August 2014
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Claribes Merlot Pre Floraison
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Certified Biologique
by EcoCert

We currently have eleven hectares of vineyard with varieties of vines chosen to harmonise with the soil and climate conditions. The grape varieties typify Côtes de Bordeaux, varieties that produce elegant white and rosé wines, and red wines that are full-bodied and refined. Vineyards surround the house and wineries, so the grapes arrive and start the winemaking process within minutes of being picked.

The land and vineyards are officially classified as agriculture Biologique (the French term for Organic). Full Biologique status was achieved in 2012.

We follow the lunar calendar for all key vineyard and winery activities. Much of the work in the vineyard is carried out by hand, organic fertilisers are used, indigenous plants are encouraged to grow between the rows of vines and the lunar cycle determines when we carry out key activities including the harvest.

Our objective is to have healthy, fully ripe grapes on all vineyard parcels before each is harvested. Our focus and belief are in a natural, sustainable path. A quote about our Rosé in the Guide Hachette des Vins confirms the result in the wine.

“… made according to the lunar calendar, and judging by this wine, there’s definitely something in it”.
Guide Hachette des Vins


AOC Wines - Certified Biologique

AOC Wines - Certified Biologique

AOC Wines - Certified Biologique

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Hand Crafting Wine

Just as in the vineyard, we make wines as naturally as possible with a focus on quality. They are a true reflection of the vines and the vineyards.

The wines are Biologique, audited and certified by Ecocert. Wines from vintages 2010, 2011 and 2012 are classified as in conversion. Our first full Organic Bordeaux Wines are from the 2013 vintage.

The wines meet the rigorous quality and production standards Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur and Sainte-Foy Côte de Bordeaux. This is certified by QualiBordeaux.


Our handcrafted winemaking process means we can only make limited quantities of each wine. It’s labour intensive, as many of our visitors will testify, requiring careful attention to detail.

“Provenance has taken on increased significance amongst fine wine consumers. Knowing and buying direct from small producers, where the profits go back into the quality of the product, is THE WAY TO GO”.

Vin Blanc

Sauvignon cent pour centWhite wine is made from our hectare of Sauvignon Blanc grapes. These grapes produce our superb fresh, clean & dry Bordeaux Blanc-Sec “Cent pour Cent”.

To capture all the delicate natural flavours and aromas we harvested in the cool early morning air and press the whole bunches as soon as they arrive. Everything is kept at a steady low temperature during fermentation and we elaborate the wine on the fine lees.

Vin Rosé

Grapes for rosé wines are harvested by hand. We use a similar process to white wine, press the whole bunches as soon as they arrive and cold ferment the pale juice. This technique helps to produce our truly pale Bordeaux Rosé, dry and picked by hand.

No allergens are used in the process and SO2 levels are kept to strict minimums for Biologique (Organic) wine.

Vins Rouge

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carménère and Malbec provide us with options to innovate with our red wines. We use fermentation techniques that are specific for each parcel of vines and variety.

This approach means we produce a range of wines with quite different and unique qualities. Wines like Old Vine Malbec with over 95% pure Malbec, Marpeau our Cabernet Sauvignon dominant wine, Barreyre with Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

We carry out a natural secondary fermentation on the red wines, converting malic acid into lactic acid, this gives the wines a full, rounded feel in the mouth, a typical Bordeaux characteristic.

Following fermentation, the red wine is matured for almost two years before bottling at the Château.

  • Organic & Biologique from 2013
  • (AOC) Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur and Sainte-Foy Côte de Bordeaux
  • 100% Vegetarian & 100% Vegan from 2006
  • Hand Crafted & Award Winning
  • Made exclusively in Claribès – Côte de Bordeaux

Chateau de Claribes - Maison 2006
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Recognition & Awards


Unusual Côtes to enjoy

Decanter article - Unusual Côtes to enjoy - Dec 19

Decanter Magazine December, a fabulous article appeared under the heading "Unusual Côtes to enjoy".Brilliantly capturing the innovation and dedication going into the production of wines in the Côtes des Bordeaux wine region.

Guide Hachette 2020

Château de Claribès biologique wines star rated in the professional tasting by Le Guide Hachette des Vins 2020, the dry white "Sauvignon 2018 Cent pour Cent" and "Marpeau 2017" rouge. AOC Sainte-Foy Côtes-de-Bordeaux.

D’Argent for Sauvignon Cent pour Cent

Château de Claribès Sauvignon Cent pour Cent Organic is awarded a Médaille D'Argent at the Concours International de Lyon.

Excellent Rating on Trip Advisor !

Have you seen the latest score for the Holiday House at Château de Claribès? Trip Advisor has given us an Excellent rating !!! With a score of 5 out of 5 , Trip Advisor now considers our Holiday House good enough

CIVB Selects Claribès Rosé

We now have two wines selected by the CIVB in 2012. The CIVB selects Château de Claribès Rosé    “Hand-Picked Bordeaux” as well as Marpeau Rouge 2005 – Sainte Foy Bordeaux.

Decanter star rates Claribès Rosé 2011

Sometimes life is full of surprises, this weeks best happened when a visitor arrived at the Château door brandishing the latest copy of Decanter magazine.

Guide Hachette 2011 – Star

Star – Le merlot domine dans le rosé de ce château qui offre une vue agréable sur la vallée de Soulège. Vendangé suivant le calendrier lunaire, valorisé par une vinification soignée, il met en avant son velouté et sa sincérité

IWC – 2010 – Bronze

Our latest wine, Vieille Vigne Malbec,  has just been awarded a Bronze Medal at the International Wine Challenge in London

Guide Hachette 2010 – Star

Grown and vinified according to the lunar calendar, in accordance with the rules of biodynamics, this pure Sauvignon Blanc is only the third vintage of the new owners. It is distinguished by a beautiful straw yellow, intense citrus flavors and

Guide Hachette 2009 – Star

This estate was discovered last year for its first vintage (2005). Biodynamic, it was selected this year for two vintages. The Marpeau is a wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon (75%), which develops an intense fruity flavour with peppery and balanced